Numbering-machine.



PATENTED AUG. 15, 1905" W. A. PORTER.

'NUMBERING MACHINE APPLICATION FILED AUG.19,1904.

TlltlTTllEi WlLLlAM A. PORTER, Oll NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO VVETTER NUM- BERING MACHINE OOlVlPl-TNY. OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, A OORPORA- TTON OF NEW YORK.

PATENT OFFICE.

l illtllWWEFllNO ll/HWIHMNE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 15, 1905.

Application filed August 19, 1904;. Serial No. 221,382.

To (LY/Z 7.077.071] if; 'Iltflil/ coll/00742 Be it known that l, VVILLIAM A. Pon'rns, a citizen of the United States, residing in the borough of Brooklyn, of the city of New York, in the State of New York, have invented certain new and useful improvements in Numberingllachines, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part hereof.

This invention relates to typographic numbering machines which are adapted to be locked in the form with the type; and it has particular reference to numbering-machines of this character which are not actuated through a medium of a plunger, but in which the numbering-wheels are carried by a frame or case which is Vertically movable with respect to an outer frame or case. As numbering-machines of this character are sometimes constructed the inner and outer cases are so related that when the machine is carelessly locked in the form the walls of the outer case are sometimes slightly sprung and caused to bind the inner case, thereby interfering with its free movement, and consequently with the proper operation of the machine.

One object of the present invention is to so construct the inner and outer frames thatsuch binding shall be impossible, even in the hands of a careless user.

Another object of the invention is to improve the construction and operation of the paper-lifter which it is desirable to employ in machines of this class in order to separate the paper from the number-wheels before the forward movement of the wheels begins in order that there maybe no blurring of the newly formed impression. The improved lifter is notonly certain in its action, but comprises a single movable member with its spring, whereby all liability to breakage and derangement avoided.

A further object of the invention is to improve and simplify the means for producing the step-by-step forward movement of the number wheels, the usual swinging pawlframe which carries the actuating-pawls being altogether dispensed with and the mechanism of the machine made thereby simpler in construction and less liable to get out of order.

Other features of improvement will be more particularly pointed out hereinafter with ref-- erence to the ELCCOII11')ZLl1yIlI1,Q drawings, in which the invention is illustrated as embodied in a convenient and practical form.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a view of the improved numbering-machine in transverse section on a plane at the right of the lifter and looking toward the right in Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a view in elevation as seen from the right in Fig. 1, the guard-plate being removed to show the parts behind it. Fig. 3 is a plan view of the machine. Fig. i is a view in section similar to that shown in Fig. 1, but with the inner frame and numbering-wheels depressed.

In the embodiment of the invention illus trated in the drawings the outer frame A is preferably cast or forged in one piece or milled from a suitable casting or forging. It may be termed a skeleton frame, comprising asit does longitudinal bars a, which form an open rectangular base for the frame and end pieces a, which rise above the base A. The inner or vertically-movable frame is substantially T-shaped, comprising vertical end members 7), which are guided in vertical grooves a formed in the end member a of the outer or stationary frame, and horizontal members 7), which may be united by a longitudinal bar 7). Springs 0, seated in recesses a formed therefor in the end member (0' of the stationary case, thrust against the under side of the horizontal member 5 of the movable frame and normally lift such frame, the upward movement of the frame beinglin'lited by pins a", fixed in the end members a of the stationary frame and engaging slots 6" in the vertical members Z) of the movable frame. A shaft (Z is secured in the end or vertical members Z) of the movable frame and. mounted thereon in the usual manner, as the numbering-wheels 0, each of which is provided, as usual, with a ratchet-wheel f. There is also secured in the end or horizontal members of the movable frame a rod g for a purpose presently to be described, theaddition of this rod also serving to strengthen and stiffen the movable frame.

It is usual in machines of this character to mount the actuating-pawls which engage the ratchets of the numbering wheels upon a swinging frame which is actuated through the vertical movements of the inner frame with the numberirig-wheels. In the present case,

however, the swinging pawl-frame is dispensed with and the actuating-pawls it are mounted upon a red at, which is secured in the end members of the stationary frame, the pawls thus being carried directly by the stationary frame. The pawls are formed in one piece or secured together and are suitably shaped to engage the ratchets of the numbering-wheels, as usual, a spring A being arranged to throw the pawls formed into engagement with the ratchets substantially as usual. The hold-pawls 2, which are provided for the purpose of preventing accidental backward movement of the wheels, are hung upon the rod g and are pressed into engagement with the ratchets by a comb-spring Z1, which is secured to the vertically-movable frame. It will now be understood that the movable frame andmimbering-wheels are depressed as an impression is made. The ratchets slip past the pawls h by the space of one tooth, being held from backward movement by the holdpawls d, and that when the pressure is relieved and the movable frame is raised by the springs 0 one or more of the pawls 7t engage the corresponding ratchets and cause a partial forward rotation of the corresponding numbering-wheels to bring the proper type into the line of print.

For the purpose of separating the paper from the numbering-wheels before the forward movement thereof begins there are provided two lifters Z, one at each end of the series of wheels. Each of suchlifters is mounted upon the rod 5 above mentioned,being slotted, as at Z, for engagement therewith. Each lifter has the form of an elbow-lever, having one nearly horizontal member Z which is arranged to cooperate with the paper, and a nearly vertical member Z. The latter is formed with a notch or shoulder, as at Z", and with abearing-surface Z for cooperation with a rod on, which is secured in the end members a of the stationary frame. A spring n is mounted upon a pin 0, which projects inwardly from the end member of the stationary frame and bears against a shoulder Z of the lifter to press the same normally backward.

When the parts are in the position represented in Fig. 4, at which time the impression is made, the forward ends of the lifters, as will be observed, lie below the plane of the printing-surface. As the movable frame is raised by the spring 0 when the pressure is relieved the lifter is thrown into the position represented in Fig. 1, with its forward end elevated above the wheel for the purpose of separating the paper therefrom, This movement is effected by the cooperation of the rod on with the shoulders of the notches F, the bearingsurface Z" resting against the rod '71! after the shoulder Z has been disengaged therefrom. When, however, the frame reaches the limit of its upward movement, the lower end of the lifter slips over the rod m and rests upon a canrsurface m, formed thereon. This movement of the lower end of the lifter causes the forward end of the lifter to drop below the printing-surface of the wheels, which meantime have been advanced one step, so that the lifter shall not be inked when the numberingwheels are inked. As another impression is made and the movable frame is depressed the lower end of the lifter slips down from the cam-surface m, and the slotted engagement Z of the lifter with its pivot-support g permits the lifter to move forwardly against the spring a and its forward end to move downward, thereby preventing breakage of the lifter. \V hen the movable frame reaches the lower limit of its movement, the rod on is again engaged by the notch Z, the lower end of the lifter swinging backward, while the whole lifter is pushed backward on its pivot-support by its spring a in readiness for another operation when the pressure of the movable frame is relieved.

In order that there may be no binding of the movable frame, such frame may be made slightly shorter and slightly narrower than the stationary frame, as clearly shown in Fig. 3, so that there shall always be proper clearance, and, if desired, guard-plates 4] may be added to the sides of the machine for the protection of the mechanism.

The hold-pawlz' for the units-wheel, as usual, may be provided with an independent spring 7; for the purpose of pressing it forward into engagement with the ratchet of the united wheel.

It will be obvious that various changes in the form and relation of the parts may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention, which is not limited to the particular construction illustrated herein for the purpose of explaining the nature of the invention.

1 claim as my invention 1. A numbering-machine, comprising a stationary frame having a base and end members,

a movable T-shaped frame having narrow vertical members guided in the end members of the stationary frame, horizontal members on said vertical members respectively, and a bar uniting said horizontal members, springs interposed between said end members and said horizontal members, numbering-wheels carried by said movable frame, and actuatingpawls for said numbering-wheels, substan- Y tiall y as described.

I 2. A numbering-machine, comprisinga stationary frame having a base and verticallygrooved end members, a movable T-shaped frame having vertical members guided in said grooves, horizontal members on said vertical members respectively, and a bar uniting said horizontal members, springsinterposed between said end members and said horizontal members, numbering-wheels carried by said movable frame, and actuating-pawls for said numbering-wheels, substantially as described.

revs-re 3. A numbering-machine comprising a stationary frame, a movable frame, n umbering- Wheels, actuating devices therefor, a lifter pivoted upon said movable frame, said lifter being substantially an elbow-lever having a slotted engagement with its pivot-support and having its lower member notched, and a stop to engage said notch, substantially as described.

a. A numbering-machine comprising a stationary frame, a movable frame, numberingwheels mounted on the movable frame, actuating devices therefor, a lifter pivoted upon said movable frame, said lifter being substantially an elboW-lever having a slotted engagement with its pivot-support and having its lower member notched, and a stop to engage said notch, substantially as described.

lVlLLIIAlVl A. PORTITER.

In presence of M; H 01m us, .l r. I-l. MULnrm. 

